East Dunbartonshire Riparian Planting Project Tree Planting Plan
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EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE RIPARIAN PLANTING PROJECT TREE PLANTING PLAN SAUCHENHALL FARM for and on behalf of: CSFT Hillhouseridge Shottskirk Road Shotts ML7 4JS Tel: 01501 – 822015 Fax: 01501 - 823919 August 2009 Prepared by: Eamonn Wall & Co 15 West Burnside Dollar FK14 7DP Tel: 01259 743 212 hhh Tree Planting Plan East Dunbartonshire Riparian Planting Project Sauchenhall Farm CONTENTS 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 2 Description ......................................................................................................... 1 3 Aims of Management ......................................................................................... 2 4 General Prescription........................................................................................... 2 5 Weeding and Maintenance ................................................................................. 3 6 Review of Grants ................................................................................................ 3 7 Detailed Prescription Cmpt 1 .............................................................................. 7 8 Detailed Prescription Cmpt 2 .............................................................................. 8 9 Detailed Prescription Cmpt 3 .............................................................................. 9 10 Detailed Prescription Cmpt 4 ............................................................................ 10 11 Detailed Prescription Cmpt 5 ............................................................................ 11 12 Detailed Prescription Cmpt 6 ............................................................................ 12 13 Detailed Prescription Cmpt 7 ............................................................................ 13 14 Summary of Trees ............................................................................................ 14 15 Grants .............................................................................................................. 15 16 Costs ................................................................................................................ 16 17 Cashflow .......................................................................................................... 17 Appendix: Planting Proposals Map Tree Planting Plan East Dunbartonshire Riparian Planting Project Sauchenhall Farm 1 Introduction The East Dunbartonshire Riparian Planting Project (EDRPP) is focussing on the potential expansion and management of existing riparian woodlands to create and improve habitat networks. The project is guided by a steering group comprising Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT), East Dunbartonshire Council and Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership. Three broad sites of interest were selected for the project by the project steering group, using the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Integrated Habitat Network tool: Allander Water near Milngavie (from NS259735 to NS580718); Luggie Water near Kirkintilloch (from NS677731 to NS705725); and Campsie Fells, above Spouthead Farm, Milton of Campsie (from NS653779 north). The Project was been split into two phases of work: Site Assessment, and Development of Proposals. This report refers to the Development of Proposals stage of works, and sets out the plans and costs for woodland establishment on Sauchenhall Farm. This Plan is one of two such plans being produced for holdings identified in the Site Assessment Report as willing to participate in the project. This Tree Planting Plan refers to Sauchenhall Farm, located 2km south-east of Waterside, Kirkintilloch. The grid reference of the farm is NS 701 726 The land owner details are: Mr J Logue Sauchenhall Farm Gartshore Road Kirkintilloch G66 5LW Tel: 0141 – 776 1359 2 Description The land at Sauchenhall Farm is predominantly improved grassland and is grazed by horses. Soil pits revealed deep, loamy brown earths throughout the proposed planting sites. The soil in compartment 4 is also a brown earth but has a very high organic content with gleying occurring at 20cm. Rushes dominate the ground cover and reflect the wet nature of the ground in this field and to the south. Luggie Water flows east-west through the holding and has one open drain feeding it from the south, adjacent to compartment 4. The land is gently sloping with a northern aspect on the south side of Luggie Water and vice-versa. Riverbanks vary from gently sloping to steep-sided, the latter with only a small reach into the field. There are currently no woods adjacent to or near the water, although there are remnants of an avenue dating back to the era of Gartshore House (built 1887, now demolished). These avenues comprise lime and line the road immediately north of Sauchenhall farm, extending down to and along the river for a short distance. Many of the trees are dying back. The avenue is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). To the north of the farm lie two beech shelter-belts, running north-south and connecting with Gartshore Moss woodlands. The western shelter-belt is relatively intact (10m wide) 1 1 Tree Planting Plan East Dunbartonshire Riparian Planting Project Sauchenhall Farm while the eastern one has disintegrated, leaving only a small number of widely spaced trees. To the south of the farm lies a moss which has become colonised by scrub and is slowly reverting to woodland. Otters have been seen in the past at the bridge over Luggie Water and herons are known to frequent the river. The riverside is designated in the Local Plan as a Wildlife Corridor. The farm is located on a quiet rural road running from Westfield Industrial Estate to Waterside. There is little traffic and there are no clear views of the farm from the surrounding landscape. No archaeological features are known of within the proposed planting areas. No pests were observed on the farm, however roe deer are likely to pass across the land between woods. An overhead powerline on wooden poles crosses the river to the south of, and supplies, the farm. There are no public rights of way and there are no informal paths, indicating there is no demand for public access. The land is not currently IACS registered. 3 Aims of Management The aim of management is to establish and maintain riparian woodlands to: diversify the habitats present in the local landscape; increase the biodiversity of the area; provide connections with other habitats in the wider landscape; mitigate against climate change; contribute to the Central Scotland Forest and the Green Network. 4 General Prescription Woodland will take the form of linear strips following watercourses and field boundaries. The width of these strips will be 15m. Riparian compartments will be planted with a riparian tree species mixture, typically favouring ash, alder and willows, amongst other species. Non-riparian compartments (those providing connections with existing woods) will comprise an oak and ash dominated mixture, taking advantage of the deep, fertile soils. Lime will be planted where existing, to replace the disintegrating lime avenue. All mixtures will include an under-storey component of hazel, rowan, gean and birch. All trees will be planted at 1600 stems/ha (2.5m centres). No ground preparation will be required. Under-planting in the beech shelter-belt will comprise beech and oak to replace the ageing stock, with hazel and rowan forming an understorey. 2 2 Tree Planting Plan East Dunbartonshire Riparian Planting Project Sauchenhall Farm Ground preparation is not required due to the dry nature of the soils. Due to the narrow width of the compartments open ground will not feature in the design. Trees will be protected from horses (and any other livestock) with rylock stock fencing with three line wires and topped with barbed wire (as agreed with the land owner). Purpose- built breaks in the fences will be required to maintain field access and stock access to water (location of water access breaks to be agreed). Protection against deer will be afforded by 1.2m tubes. Detailed prescriptions are given in Sections 7 to 12. 5 Weeding and Maintenance Weeds can slow down tree growth by competing with young trees for water, light and nutrients. They also harbour small mammal pests such as mice and voles, and can induce mildew on some species. In some cases the physical weight of weeds can damage trees particularly after heavy snowfall. For these reasons effective weed control is vital to ensure good establishment of the young trees. Grass will be the main weed species and will be treated with a residual herbicide at the time of planting (or glyphosate if planted in late Spring) and with a systemic herbicide in the summer, during the following five years. Broadleaved weeds usually invade the 1m diameter grass free areas created around each tree will be controlled by the second herbicide application in summer. Noxious weeds may need separate control. A site visit during late summer after planting is required in order to carry out a survival inspection. This is known as a beating up assessment and allows the exact number of trees to be ordered for replacement planting in the autumn. However, we usually expect over 90% plus survival for broadleaves when no replanting is considered necessary. The survival of pine can be more variable. Site inspection visits for the first five years after planting help to ensure proper establishment. Tree growth, replacement planting, mammal activity, weeding requirements and maintenance